Dante (1883-1955) was born Harry August Jansen in Denmark. He emigrated to the U.S. as a small boy. He started out in magic as an illusion builder. He co-owned a magic manufacturing company in Chicago called, Halton, Jansen and LeRoy.

After becoming a performer and touring as the "Great Jansen", he was chosen by Howard Thurston to run the Thurston Number Two show, who gave him the name "Dante". He built many of Thurston's illusions including the improved Horace Goldin "Sawing a Woman in Half". "The Un-Sevilled Barber", "Backstage", "The Magician's Rehearsal" and "Black and White".

Dante toured the world with his show "Sim-Sala-Bim", including on Broadway. Sim Sala Bim was Dante's trademark which he used as his magic words. He was often billed as "King of Magicians".